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Admissions
Application
Application Opens
Fall 2026: September 15, 2025
Application Closes
Fall 2025 Application:
For domestic (U.S.) applicants: August 1, 2025.
Or until seats are filled.
For international applicants: Application Closed
Application System
Apply through the Graduate Centralized Application System (GradCAS).
The application fee is $50 (U.S.).
Prerequisites
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
- Minimum cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0 (based on a 4.0 scale)
- Upon acceptance, students must meet the SHRS Clinical Participation Requirements.
Prerequisite Coursework for Fall 2026 Applications
Due to the heavy science-based focus of the Pitt DC curriculum, the program requires a minimum set of undergraduate coursework. Prerequisite courses for admission are at least four (4) semesters of any combination of the following biological, physical and/or applied sciences:
- Biological sciences: human anatomy, physiology, embryology, genetics, microbiology, immunology and/or cellular biology
- Physical sciences: general chemistry, organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, biochemistry, toxicology/pharmacology and/or physics
- Applied sciences: Nutrition science, sports science, exercise physiology, biomechanics, kinesiology and/or statistics
Transcripts
Applicants are required to provide transcripts from all U.S. universities, colleges or other higher education institutions attended.
Admitted students will need to submit official transcripts to the SHRS Admissions Office prior to enrolling in classes.
Experience
Beyond academic achievement, applicants are encouraged to demonstrate experiences outside of the classroom that would make them appropriate for this program. This could include volunteering in the community, showing an aptitude for health care professions and being a team member.
Admission to this program will be highly competitive and applicants are strongly encouraged to have a robust background in the life sciences.
Current Pitt Students: View this SharePoint Site for more information about local Pittsburgh shadowing, volunteering and other hands-on opportunities. Pitt Passport required.
Personal Statement
A personal statement that describes how the applicant’s lived experiences have inspired their interest in health care, and specifically why they have chosen chiropractic.
- Essays should be no longer than 500 words in length and double-spaced.
- The ideal essay will reveal the applicant’s personality, ethics, creativity and describe how their life experiences would promote cultural humility in the profession.
Letters of Recommendation
Two (2) letters of recommendation are required. Letters of recommendation should include insights regarding the applicant’s potential for successfully navigating a graduate-level professional degree program and provide specific examples of observed characteristics supporting such insights.
- One (1) letter from an academic reference – a professor/instructor from a course(s) for which the applicant was enrolled. It is encouraged that the the academic course be from a recommended course for the DC program or a course associated with the applicant’s major area of study.
- The second letter should come from a healthcare professional who can speak to the applicant’s potential success in a rigorous healthcare academic program.
Technical Standards and Skills
Applicants and admitted students must meet the technical standards.
Application Review Process
- All completed applications will be reviewed by members of the DC program admissions committee.
- The admissions committee will use a holistic approach and will look at applicants’ previous coursework for a broad mix of sciences and humanities. The admissions committee will also evaluate applicants’ grades, essays, letters of recommendation and extracurricular activities to select students who are well prepared for a science-based program and who possess a strong desire to become an integral part of the future of health care.
- Personal interviews will be required of the top applicants and will be conducted by videoconference.
- Admission decisions will be made on a rolling basis, applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early.
Other Requirements
A resume is required.
International Student Information
The following requirements are necessary for applicants from outside of the U.S.
For questions about the international student requirements, please reach out to the SHRS Admissions Office.
Academic Credential Evaluations
Students who have completed the equivalent of a baccalaureate degree or higher at an institution outside of the United States are required to provide an academic credential evaluation from Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. or World Education Services (WES), Inc. with their application.
- A course-by-course evaluation with GPA conversion is required.
- Evaluations are not required for degrees earned in the United States. If you have attended an English Canadian institution, please contact the SHRS Admissions Office.
- Individual SHRS programs may have their own specific Academic Credential Evaluation requirements.
Verification of English Language Proficiency
The University of Pittsburgh accepts the official results of the Duolingo English Test, the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) as a measure of English language proficiency.
Verification is required unless the following apply:
- The applicant is a citizen of a country whose official language is English.
- The applicant has completed a degree program at a regionally accredited institution in the U.S.
- The applicant is not a citizen of a country whose official language is English but has completed a degree program at an institution outside of the U.S. where the language of instruction is English and where the official national language of the country in which the institution is located is English.
Minimum Scores by Program
On-campus Programs — Duolingo: 115 | IELTS: 6.5 | TOEFL: 80
- Athletic Training (MS)
- Health Informatics (MS)
- Health Data Analytics (Certificate)
- Health Information Cybersecurity (Certificate)
- Leadership in Health Informatics (Certificate)
- Revenue Cycle Management (Certificate)
- Occupational Therapy (Post-Professional MS)
- Physical Therapy (Post-Professional MS)
- Prosthetics and Orthotics (MS)
- Sports Science (MS)
On-campus Programs — Duolingo: 130 | IELTS: 7.0 | TOEFL: 100
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MS)
- Duolingo sub-score of 140-145 conversation and 130-135 comprehension are required.
- IELTS sub-score of 8.0 speaking and 7.0 listening are required.
- TOEFL sub-score of 26 for speaking and 24 for listening are required.
- Communication Science and Disorders (Post-Baccalaureate)
- Communication Science (PhD)
- Dietitian Nutritionist Program (MS)
- Doctor of Audiology (AuD)
- Doctor of Chiropractic (DC)
- Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)
- Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
- Physician Assistant Studies (MS)
- Rehabilitation Science (PhD)
- Speech Language Pathology (MA/MS)
Hybrid and Online Programs — Duolingo: 130 | IELTS: 7.0 | TOEFL: 100
- Hybrid
- Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
- Master of Rehabilitation Technology (MRT)
- Online
- Doctor of Clinical Science in Occupational Therapy (CScD)
- Advanced Practice Certificate in Implementation of Evidence in Clinical Practice (Certificate)
- Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc)
- Health Informatics (MS)
- Health Data Analytics (Certificate)
- Health Information Cyber Security (Certificate)
- Leadership in Health Informatics (Certificate)
- Revenue Cycle Management (Certificate)
How to Submit Scores
- Duolingo English Test: Scores should be made available electronically to “University of Pittsburgh – School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences”
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS): Scores should be made available electronically to “University of Pittsburgh Health and Rehabilitation Sciences”
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): Scores should be submitted electronically through ETS to institution code “2927”.
